Widespread Flu Worries New Hampshire Health Officials

MANCHESTER, NH (CBS) – Ken Errico is just recovering from a nasty bout with the flu.

The 33-year-old waiter from Derry, New Hampshire says he had all the typical symptoms from fever to fatigue.

“It lasted about three to five days,” said Errico. “It was really, really bad.”

The flu is considered widespread in New Hampshire right now, meaning there are cases in every county.

“It’s actually been the worst flu season that we’ve seen in probably three to four years,” said Dr. Al Northcutt of the Derry Medical Center.

The flu season is also early this year and state health officials say there have been 13 flu-related deaths in New Hampshire in December alone.

“The last previous two years were really mild seasons, we only saw four or five per month so seeing 13 is a huge jump,” said Dr. Jose Thier Montero, director of the New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services.

Health officials are not sure why the numbers are high but say the spike is unusual and worrisome.

For Ken Errico, who did not take a flu shot, his recent illness has him thinking differently.

“Of course everyone’s skeptical about injecting the flu into your body to make you feel better,” said Errico. “This flu was so bad I’m actually considering getting it next year.”